Motherwell v Aberdeen 15/09/2026

[Benson]

Dont think olly whyte would have looked out of place last night,could have done with a bit more physicality.

[Kmcalpin]

A big part of our problem last night was a dysfunctional midfield. Big gaps between it and the defence and attack. Fadinger playing a different role and Hodge being totally off it. 

I'm still baffled why Longelo, one of our better players, seems to be sidelined so often. 

[Mad Dog]

One thing I remembered from last night is that there seemed to be a lot of players slipping over, so was there any need to water the pitch at halftime?

[FirParkCornerExile]

I'm over it now, its history, no amount of racking over it changes anything. Based on what I've seen so far this season I'm 50/50 whether the we have what it takes to finish top 6. That can of course change in a heartbeat to being totally pish or excellent, time will tell. I'd like to think having invested more money in the squad than we've done for 25 years that its the latter.   Two out of next three at home and a tough run of three games to come but we need something to steady the ship after 3 games where we've basically been effective for 25 minutes out of 270.

[Spiderpig]

1 hour ago, wellfan said:

Aye, I’m absolutely delighted with that last night. We worryingly looked poorly coached, cluelessly set up and seemingly devoid of any idea what we were actually trying to do, other than pass the ball about in front of Aberdeen.

Aye sack the manger, get someone who is used to hoofball kick and chase tactics back in charge and forget all the tippy tappy shite, were you in the pod south members area last night, as there was some daftie ranting the same at AJ all night.

We had a very bad game, gifted a shite team 4 goals and got what we deserved ie feck all, shit happens, so onwards and upwards to Dundee.

[El Grew]

In his post-match interview, Alfredsson said something about diagonal exits. I have never heard of this so I googled it to see what it meant. Here’s what I found:

”A diagonal exit is an explosive movement or pass used to escape tight spaces - such as the touchline or a corner - by shifting the ball at an angle across a defender's body. It breaks pressure and makes it harder for defenders to block the pass compared to a predictable vertical or horizontal pass. It creates passing angles by changing the axis of the attack and forcing defenders to turn and shift their weight.”

Well!?! Sounds to me like somebody swallowed a coaching manual! If this is the type of thing Alfredsson is about we’ve got a problem because I doubt the players will have a clue what he’s on about, and it certainly looked that way last night.

As far as last night goes it was a shit show from start to finish. The starting selection was all wrong. We have a defence that couldn’t keep hens out of a close. Our midfield is far too lightweight, too easily bullied and lacks a physicality and we possess absolutely no goal threat.

Possession is fine but unlike last season, we’re far too slow and ponderous in building attacks which allows the opposition to easily get into position to nullify us. Last season we had players continuously making runs forward into dangerous areas but I don’t see too much of that this season.

Possession stats are totally misleading. We have 70% while the opposition has 30% but we lose. How much of the 70% took place in and around the opposition penalty area, because that’s where it really counts.

Alfredsson needs to work this out fast or we’re in for a long hard slog undoing all the good base we had built from last season.

[andalg]

My take is that the starting line up was wrong with three players up front who all play in a similar style, wanting the ball too feet and trying to lay it off.  Unfortunately there was no one to lay it off to.  In my opinion the three of them should never start together again.  If we had three different styles up front it would give more options and problems for defenses.  Said, Palmer-Houlden &  Maswanhise for example. We have the players at the moment but not necessarily in the right places 

[FirParkCornerExile]

24 minutes ago, andalg said:

My take is that the starting line up was wrong with three players up front who all play in a similar style, wanting the ball too feet and trying to lay it off.  Unfortunately there was no one to lay it off to.  In my opinion the three of them should never start together again.  If we had three different styles up front it would give more options and problems for defenses.  Said, Palmer-Houlden &  Maswanhise for example. We have the players at the moment but not necessarily in the right places 

For  me the jury is still out whether "we have the players" other than Lowry I've not see the levels of consistency  from the rest to categorically agree with that statement. Before the happy clappers get their knickers in an uproar I'm NOT saying we haven't I just need to see more before I can make that call.

[bobbybingo]

21 minutes ago, El Grew said:

In his post-match interview, Alfredsson said something about diagonal exits. I have never heard of this so I googled it to see what it meant. Here’s what I found:

”A diagonal exit is an explosive movement or pass used to escape tight spaces - such as the touchline or a corner - by shifting the ball at an angle across a defender's body. It breaks pressure and makes it harder for defenders to block the pass compared to a predictable vertical or horizontal pass. It creates passing angles by changing the axis of the attack and forcing defenders to turn and shift their weight.”

Well!?! Sounds to me like somebody swallowed a coaching manual! If this is the type of thing Alfredsson is about we’ve got a problem because I doubt the players will have a clue what he’s on about, and it certainly looked that way last night.

If our players don't understand such a basic concept, we have a real problem.

[wellfan]

53 minutes ago, Spiderpig said:

Aye sack the manger, get someone who is used to hoofball kick and chase tactics back in charge and forget all the tippy tappy shite

 That’s not what I said though, was it?

For all that went wrong last night, I’ve said that the buck stops with the manager. I’ve also said that he needs to turn it around for the Dundee game, otherwise I think it could be the beginning of the end for him.

That’s not me calling for him to be sacked, nor is it me suggesting we should revert to Kettleball.

[weeyin]

I thought Alfred nailed it in his post match. Basically lost the plot, especially after the second goal, and abandoned the tactics in favour of desperate passes and hopeful long balls.

That's when we miss an old head like a SOD or McGinn on the pitch to calm things down.

[stv]

29 minutes ago, FirParkCornerExile said:

For  me the jury is still out whether "we have the players" other than Lowry I've not see the levels of consistency  from the rest to categorically agree with that statement. Before the happy clappers get their knickers in an uproar I'm NOT saying we haven't I just need to see more before I can make that call.

The players we have signed and retained are not proven yet, mostly. If they all already had high levals consistency and proven ability we wouldn't have been able to sign them.

We do need work with the team to get to a higher leval. 

[numpty]

1 hour ago, El Grew said:

Well!?! Sounds to me like somebody swallowed a coaching manual! If this is the type of thing Alfredsson is about we’ve got a problem because I doubt the players will have a clue what he’s on about, and it certainly looked that way last night.

Did you see the size of JBA's coaching manual? Diagonal exits were probably on page one.

[texanwellfan]

Dreadful display last night after loosing the second goal. As someone says, we Lost the plot.  We don’t press as a team as good as last year and don’t cover back as well as we did. So need a lot more effort and work in those areas. 
I Think AJ has to review his starting 11 as I’m not sure that we have got that right yet. I think Sparrow has done ok but I don’t think him and JT are the best pairing on the right hand side. RCC needs to be more aggressive with the ball but don’t know if he’s playing per Instructions from AJ or maybe cause he’ll have no one in the middle to support him. We have some good midfield players but more as individuals rather than a unit working together. Up front I think we need to give PH and Thor more Playing time, PH starting and Thor replacing him when he tires round about 60 mins or so. 
I will be glad to see Oscar back when he’s fit and fingers crossed JK can get fit and stay fit for a good run of games as they should help Improve the team. 
Kanga needs to be brought on from the bench rather than starting and would start Said in his place. 
AJ got lots of stuff to do to earn his money but all things considered I’m not too worried about this season, may not be as high up the league as last season but maybe that will Allow us to have some stability and continuity into the following season for a really good campaign. 
   I hope the fans can show Some patience and support for the team as I’m sure encouragement works much better than heckling and harassing while they work to solve issues and improve the standard of play. We got a bit spoiled last season but I’m sure we can get there again but a much harder task this season so it will take more time. 

[Orinoco]

A horrible night where everything fell for Aberdeen. The reaction from certain individuals, i wont call them fans, is bordering on hysterical and ridiculous. 

6 games into our league season and everything is doom and gloom. Holly moses!

We ask our players to be brave, yet certain supporters chose to take the cowards way out and turned their backs on our players by leaving or abusing them. The players need encouragement and not abuse. Last season the fans got the plaudits for the patience shown in accepting our style of play. This season our support is showing little patience and an entitlement that would make the city club teams fans blush.

This season was always going to be difficult. Practically a new team, with a new manager.  A manager who is still learning about our players and Scottish football. 

The club collectively will know they let the fans down last night. But today is a new day. Hopefully lessons were learnt and with hard work, belief and patience we can continue our journey of positivity and entertainment.

We need to ignore the external negative noise and trolls. 

Stop the bickering and trust the process even with the odd blip along the way. 

[David]

2 hours ago, El Grew said:

Well!?! Sounds to me like somebody swallowed a coaching manual! If this is the type of thing Alfredsson is about we’ve got a problem because I doubt the players will have a clue what he’s on about, and it certainly looked that way last night.

100%! Surely he must know that football players only understand chat like "running their socks off" and ensuring they're a "bunch of good, honest lads" and chat like that? Who does he think he's dealing with? Professionals? 

Down with that sort of thing!

[Coatsy]

On last nights performance

Starting guys like RCC and Sparrow who were  bit players last year says all you need to know, the only guy closing properly was Lowry, not convinced with Hodge as a no 6 he is too lightweight and should be further up the pitch IMO. Really missing Fadinger Priestman pairing atm. 

Not a Vogt fan yet but he did put the best couple of crosses in last night one right on Palmers head which should have been a goal.

Cant understand why everything goes down the right when our best outlet is Longelo. Sparrow is not captain material, he slows the game down and constantly passes back. We need to be much braver and quicker on the ball. 

We need a but more physicallity or our wee guys need to up the skill level considerably aka Just last season.

[grizzlyg]

1 hour ago, Orinoco said:

A horrible night where everything fell for Aberdeen. The reaction from certain individuals, i wont call them fans, is bordering on hysterical and ridiculous. 

6 games into our league season and everything is doom and gloom. Holly moses!

We ask our players to be brave, yet certain supporters chose to take the cowards way out and turned their backs on our players by leaving or abusing them. The players need encouragement and not abuse. Last season the fans got the plaudits for the patience shown in accepting our style of play. This season our support is showing little patience and an entitlement that would make the city club teams fans blush.

This season was always going to be difficult. Practically a new team, with a new manager.  A manager who is still learning about our players and Scottish football. 

The club collectively will know they let the fans down last night. But today is a new day. Hopefully lessons were learnt and with hard work, belief and patience we can continue our journey of positivity and entertainment.

We need to ignore the external negative noise and trolls. 

Stop the bickering and trust the process even with the odd blip along the way. 

💯 bang on pal

[grizzlyg]

I am glad some folk on here aren't my boss as jeez one typo on a document or wrong figure on a spreadsheet and it would be dole queue tomorrow!

We were rotten last night, it's one game.  AJ taking pelters for team selection ( and rightly so in some cases), but surely Rogers and rest of coaching staff with more of an idea of Robbo's tactics should have been more aware that the forward line wasn't right.

Last season at end of September we were away to Livi and defeat would have made us bottom, we won and rest is history.  No doubt Jens would have bern getting pelters then also.   Also please note Toulouse yet to win a league game yet..........hmmmm maybe because it takes time to bring in new ideas and formation.

Healthy debate and constructive criticism is all good but some of the reaction in stands last night and on here is in my opinion is totally over the score.  It was always going to take time for new manager....players...formation etc.    Too many folk now expecting us to finish 4th every season,  that ain't going to happen.

Bring on Dundee and please give us any kind of win.  COYW

[David]

23 minutes ago, grizzlyg said:

I am glad some folk on here aren't my boss as jeez one typo on a document or wrong figure on a spreadsheet and it would be dole queue tomorrow!

We were rotten last night, it's one game.  AJ taking pelters for team selection ( and rightly so in some cases), but surely Rogers and rest of coaching staff with more of an idea of Robbo's tactics should have been more aware that the forward line wasn't right.

Last season at end of September we were away to Livi and defeat would have made us bottom, we won and rest is history.  No doubt Jens would have bern getting pelters then also.   Also please note Toulouse yet to win a league game yet..........hmmmm maybe because it takes time to bring in new ideas and formation.

Healthy debate and constructive criticism is all good but some of the reaction in stands last night and on here is in my opinion is totally over the score.  It was always going to take time for new manager....players...formation etc.    Too many folk now expecting us to finish 4th every season,  that ain't going to happen.

Bring on Dundee and please give us any kind of win.  COYW

100%.

I always believed the idea was that we wanted to see some more progressive football while trying to achieve the goals that a club like ours should have, which, in case anyone has forgotten, is always to secure safety first and foremost, then push for the top six. 

Last season was an anomaly in more ways than one. The entire league was crazy, with Hearts almost winning it. 

We need to accept that along with the way we play will come spells where we don't look great and we don't win. But that doesn't mean we throw out the entire playbook and revert to the traditional Scottish approach, does it? 

[star sail]

It is difficult to know where to start with that last night. Is it the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning? How can we place that performance and result in the context of the season to date? Do I fall into the doom merchant or happy clapper category? Was it a freak result or a sign of things to come? 

Fortunately I can answer all the questions above: I have absolutely no idea!!

I don't think last night was entirely surprising. The Rangers game before it was a concern. The difference was that the Rangers game came on the end of a very tight fixture schedule and last nights performance came after a break. 

I have never really bought the played too many games, played too few argument. It is generally an excuse. Good teams negate these issues more often than not. 

The only conclusion I can come to is this. We miss Priestman. He was the best player in the team before injury and the lack of continuity in the midfield is because he is not there.

We have a very young manager with a youngish squad. Most of the signings are project signings. Some will work, some won't. The model we are working with lends itself to inconsistency. We will not pull a successful rabbit out the hat every time.

The big question really is Does the support have the stomach for the experiment? Last year was unique. It was successful in a way that will not be replicated this season or possibly ever again.

So what do we want? Win at all costs Robinson style industrial football or a project to develop in the right way with the understanding that it will not always go as planned? 

I suspect there will be much soul searching within our support trying to answer that question in the coming months.

[mfc88]

25 minutes ago, star sail said:

So what do we want? Win at all costs Robinson style industrial football or a project to develop in the right way with the understanding that it will not always go as planned? 

Good post.

I was saying as we were leaving the game that, in spite of the result, we know how this plays out for aberdeen under robinson. A few seasons of moderately successful hammer throwing before results dry up, saturdays become a chore and it slowly turns toxic. Then rinse/ repeat with another merry-go-round manager.

I know which team i'd rather be following.

[grizzlyg]

57 minutes ago, star sail said:

It is difficult to know where to start with that last night. Is it the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning? How can we place that performance and result in the context of the season to date? Do I fall into the doom merchant or happy clapper category? Was it a freak result or a sign of things to come? 

Fortunately I can answer all the questions above: I have absolutely no idea!!

I don't think last night was entirely surprising. The Rangers game before it was a concern. The difference was that the Rangers game came on the end of a very tight fixture schedule and last nights performance came after a break. 

I have never really bought the played too many games, played too few argument. It is generally an excuse. Good teams negate these issues more often than not. 

The only conclusion I can come to is this. We miss Priestman. He was the best player in the team before injury and the lack of continuity in the midfield is because he is not there.

We have a very young manager with a youngish squad. Most of the signings are project signings. Some will work, some won't. The model we are working with lends itself to inconsistency. We will not pull a successful rabbit out the hat every time.

The big question really is Does the support have the stomach for the experiment? Last year was unique. It was successful in a way that will not be replicated this season or possibly ever again.

So what do we want? Win at all costs Robinson style industrial football or a project to develop in the right way with the understanding that it will not always go as planned? 

I suspect there will be much soul searching within our support trying to answer that question in the coming months.

Very well said and the support are vital this season.   Do all the glory hunters who started coming back suddenly stop attending because heaven forbid we had a bad game?  

Our style has had many admirers and just look at the attendances.  There will be bumps along the way but jeez give me our style ahead of Robbo tactics any day.  Aye they won but the play-acting etc would stop folk turning up.

Fans need to stay with it,  even stand up and sing for Motherwell was flat as a pancake last night.

Keep the Faith folks.......grizzly jovi

[wellsince75]

It’s blooming hard not to compare to last season - which I’m sure we all agree was simply fabulous .

JBA was a level above anything I’ve seen before and some players very hard to replace aka Just . 
 

I loved watching pretty much every league game and although not finished article I really felt we’d win or certainly not lose .

BUT that’s the past . 

if I compare to any other season I’d probably be reasonably happy, albeit I don’t like losing any game , particularly being pumped at home.

I’ve no clue what to expect this season but probably fair to assume it won’t be 4th and that’s ok . 

What I do want is to enjoy my footy, be proud of performances and for that to happen we need to improve consistency 

[texanwellfan]

When are Preistman and Johnny K due back?